 Trek School FAQ
**This information is available in a word document file that you can download. 1. What is Trek School? Trek School is an outdoor school program for any grade 11 student in Regina. During the program students engage in a series of classroom, outdoor, and experiential activities. The various courses are taught through these experiences.
2. How does Trek School work?
Students spend one entire semester in the program. During that semester they take Biology 20, Social Studies 30, Geography 20, Phys-Ed 20, CPT 20, and Math B30 (optional). Two teachers instruct the students in these subjects and also coordinate the various outdoor and other learning experiences.
3. What kinds of students join Trek School?
Trek School appeals to many different kinds of students. Primarily though, the program is for students who want to get more out of a semester of high school. We often have very academic students in the program, but we also have students who struggle. Often we are able to offer enrichment opportunities to students who are very academically gifted while giving students that need more assistance what they need as well. Because we tailor many of our activities to individual student needs, our program is a good fit for a diverse array of students.
4. What kinds of outdoor activities do students experience in the program?
During a Trek School semester, students will cross-country ski, camp, backpack, hike, and canoe.
5. Will I be away from Regina all the time?
Actually, most days operate around the same schedule as regular school days. We start our day at 8:30 and end at 3:10. We also (except on one or two occasions per semester) run our program from Monday to Friday during the week . Therefore, most of our activities will not interfere too much with your daily life. There are certain times during the semester when we are away, but this is no different than being away for a band or team trip. The bonus is that most of our trips happen during the week so you will still have your weekends to yourself.
6. Where do students go during the semester?
The program takes students many places around Saskatchewan to learn from their unique biological, geographical, and historical characteristics. During a semester students will travel to many areas around Regina and Qu'Appelle regions as well as Moose Mountain, Grasslands National Park, Cypress Hills, and the Churchill River.
7. How long are the trips?
Trips vary in length from day trips and single-night overnight trips to trips that are 5 or 6 days in length. These trips happen during the week because for students in the program, the trips constitute their school experiences.
8. I have a job. Does this mean I can't be in the program?
Absolutely not ... most students in the program also have jobs. Occasionally they have to book time off but most school days for our students still start at 8:30 and end at 3:10 just like regular school.
9. I play a sport. Does this mean I can't be in the program?
Absolutely not ... many of our students have been involved in high school sports, drama, or music or have been involved in competitive sports outside of school (we have even had students in provincial level sports).
10. Do I need to get straight A's to be in the program?
Although it doesn't hurt to be a good student, we are more interested in students who are enthusiastic than students who are geniuses (although very bright students are certainly welcome). We have had students with 95% averages and 55% averages and everything in between. Typically though, they come to the program excited about doing something new and meaningful.
11. Will I be behind in my courses or disadvantaged in university applications if I do Trek School?
Quite the contrary ... students earn regular school credits (we just teach them differently) and the vast majority of our alumni have gone to university.
12. How much does the program cost?
Over most of the history of the program we have charged a $300 fee. This covers the large amount of gear that we supply students in the program (like tents, sleeping bags, ski equipment, canoe equipment, and even cameras). Most of our operating expenses are covered by the school division. Therefore, students in our program go on 6 or 7 trips during the semester for a comparably small amount of money.
13. This program sounds great. How do I get involved?
There are a limited number of spaces in the program so students must apply and be accepted. Although not every student gets in, the vast majority do (we only turn an average of 3 or 4 students away per semester). You can get an application through this website . Only grade 10 students can apply. They are then selected and take the program during their grade 11 year.
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